Once Daniel was out of sight, Alex's smile faded slightly as he allowed himself a moment of self-questioning. His mind drifted back to the incident that had occurred before he fell into a deep sleep, replaying the events in his head with a growing sense of unease.
The girl—the staff girl. Who was she? Why did her touch feel so familiar? The thought gnawed at him, this inexplicable sense of déjà vu, as if he had known her from somewhere long ago. In the seven years since Sophia had disappeared from their lives, Alex had never reacted to another woman. He had faced countless challenges—enemies who had drugged him, women who had tried to seduce him, all with the aim of tying him down in marriage—but never once had his body betrayed him like it had last night.
This wasn't the first time he had been drugged. He had always maintained control, relying on the iron discipline he had honed over years of ruthless business dealings and personal betrayals. Yet, last night, something had shifted. His body had responded to that girl in a way that left him unnerved, vulnerable in a manner that was entirely unfamiliar.
And why now, of all times? Why after all these years of steadfast loyalty to the memory of the only woman he had ever loved—Sophia? Even after she left, taking a piece of his heart with her, he had never allowed himself to be vulnerable to another woman. His heart had belonged to Sophia and Sophia alone.
But last night… the way he had felt—drawn, almost compelled to her—was something he couldn't ignore. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to this, something he was missing. The fact that he couldn't even recall her face clearly only added to his frustration.
Was it possible that his body had recognized something his mind had not? Could she be connected to Sophia in some way, or was it merely the effects of the drug clouding his judgment?
The questions spun in his mind, one after the other, as he tried to piece together the fragments of memory. The familiar sensation, the rush of emotion—it all pointed back to one person. Sophia. But how could that be? She was gone, vanished from his life without a trace.
Alex clenched his fists, feeling a surge of determination. He needed answers, and he wouldn't rest until he had them. The girl, whoever she was, had triggered something deep within him, something that had lain dormant for years. And he intended to find out exactly what—or who—she was.
He couldn't help but wonder if this was fate's way of bringing Sophia back into his life. Was this mysterious girl somehow connected to her? Or was it just his mind playing tricks on him, yearning for a connection that no longer existed?
As Alex was lost deep in thought, the door creaked open, and Simon entered the room with a light-hearted grin. "You betrayed man! You even woke from your sleep but never intended to tell your best friend about it. Thanks to Daniel for keeping me informed," Simon teased.
Alex shot him a sour look. "Why are you here, Simon?"
"Of course, to check on you. You are my patient, after all, and it's my duty to look after you," Simon replied with a mockingly serious tone.
"Oh, cut the crap," Alex retorted, not in the mood for banter. "Tell me the real reason you're here."
Simon smiled, knowing he couldn't fool Alex. "You're truly my best friend. You know me too well."
Alex gave him a stern look, clearly unimpressed by Simon's attempts to lighten the mood. But Simon, being his dear friend, ignored the tension. With a mischievous glint in his eye, Simon asked, "Who was that girl last night? Are you falling for her?"
Alex's expression remained unchanged as he chose to ignore the question. Simon, however, wasn't one to give up easily. He waited, hoping for a response, especially since this was the first time he had ever seen Alex so close to a woman. The silence stretched on, and when no answer came, Simon tried a different approach.
"Alex," Simon said more seriously, "I checked the anti-drug pills you always take before social gatherings like this. There's no sign of any alteration. So, why did that happen last night? Why did you react like that?"
Alex's mind raced as he considered Simon's words. The pills were supposed to protect him, to ensure he never fell victim to the kinds of schemes he had been exposed to over the years. They had always worked—until now. The realization that something had gone wrong, despite the precautions, unsettled him.
"I don't know," Alex finally admitted, his voice low. "It doesn't make sense. The pills have always been effective."
Simon studied his friend closely. "Do you think it could be something else? Something… psychological?"
Alex frowned. "What do you mean?"
Simon hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "You've been under a lot of stress, Alex. The business, the constant threats, and… everything with Sophia. It's possible that the drug last night triggered something emotional, something you haven't fully dealt with."
Alex remained silent, his thoughts turning inward. Could it be true? Had the unresolved feelings he had for Sophia somehow resurfaced, making him vulnerable in a way he hadn't anticipated? The idea that his past could still have such a strong hold on him was both troubling and painful.
Alex dismissed Simon with a wave of his hand, his voice firm but weary. "There's no need to test the medicines further. I'll deal with this situation myself. Now, please, I just want to rest."
Simon hesitated for a moment, his eyes filled with concern, but he respected Alex's wishes. He gave a quick check-up, ensuring Alex was stable, then nodded. "Alright, but don't hesitate to call if you need anything. Take care." With that, Simon left the room, bidding him goodbye.
As soon as Simon was out of sight, Alex's demeanor shifted. The calm exterior he had displayed began to crumble as his mind raced. He grabbed the phone on the bedside table and called the hotel manager. "Send the staff member who came to my room last night," he instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument.
A few minutes later, the door opened, and Sophia stepped into the room. The moment Alex saw her, a sense of calm washed over him, easing the tension that had gripped him since he woke up. His heart swelled with a mix of emotions—relief, happiness, and a twinge of something deeper, something he had buried long ago. But he quickly masked his feelings, keeping his expression unreadable. It didn't take long for him to notice that Sophia didn't recognize him, and that realization cut deep.
She doesn't remember me, he thought, his heart sinking. But he reminded himself that it had been seven years since she had left their lives. Back then, Sophia was just 14 years old, the same age as his brother Daniel. They had been best friends, inseparable. Alex had been 18 at the time, on the cusp of adulthood, and had harbored a secret crush on her. Unlike the other girls who had tried to flirt with him, Sophia had always treated him with respect, seeing him as nothing more than her best friend's older brother.
Now, as she stood before him, he could see that she had grown into a beautiful young woman. Yet, despite the years that had passed, there was something familiar about her—a spark in her eyes, a grace in her movements. But she seemed unaware of their shared past, oblivious to the emotions swirling within him.
"Mr. Blackwood," Sophia began, her tone professional and courteous. "You requested to see me?"
Alex nodded, his face calm and composed. "Yes. I wanted to thank you for your help last night. You handled the situation well."
Sophia gave a small, polite smile. "I'm glad I could be of assistance, sir. It's part of my job."
"Your job," Alex repeated, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "How long have you been working here?"
"Just a few months," Sophia replied, her tone steady. "I recently returned to the city."
Alex's interest piqued at her words. "Returned? Where were you before?"
Sophia hesitated briefly before answering, "I lived abroad for some time. It was a long time ago."
"Abroad," Alex echoed, his mind whirring with questions he wanted to ask. Why did she leave? Why didn't she stay in touch? But he knew he couldn't bombard her with questions now.
"I'm glad you're back," he said, his voice softening just a touch. "The city could use more people like you."
Sophia offered another polite smile, but there was a distance in her eyes, a barrier Alex couldn't quite breach. "Thank you, sir."
An awkward silence fell between them, heavy with unspoken words. Alex wanted to reach out, to tell her how much her presence had meant to him all those years ago, but he held back. Now wasn't the time.
"You can go," he finally said, his tone more curt than he intended. "Thank you again for your help."
Sophia nodded and turned to leave, but just as she reached the door, Alex called out to her, unable to let her go without saying something more.
"Sophia," he said, his voice gentle.
She turned back, a questioning look in her eyes. "Yes, Mr. Blackwood?"
"Take care of yourself," he said, the words carrying more weight than she could understand.
Sophia looked puzzled but nodded before stepping out of the room.
As the door closed behind her, Alex felt a wave of emotions crash over him. She was back, yet so much had changed. The girl he had once known seemed like a distant memory, replaced by a woman who didn't even remember him. But now that she was here, he knew he couldn't let her slip away again. He had to find a way to reconnect, to bridge the gap that the years had created. And perhaps, in time, she would remember him too.